The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Student Health Center has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Accreditation distinguishes this student health center from many other outpatient facilities through its adherence to rigorous standards of care and safety.
Status as an accredited organization means the Student Health Center has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. More than 6,100 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are currently accredited by AAAHC.
1095 Strong is a transformational movement and call-to-action spearheaded by the AAAHC to equip ambulatory leaders with the best of what they need to operationalize quality practices. The three-year period between accreditations is a critical time when ambulatory health organizations, with help from proven experts, can develop the kind of everyday habits that enable leaders in the industry to provide the utmost in quality care to their patients. Organizations, such as the Student Health Center, that earn AAAHC accreditation embody the spirit of 1095 Strong, quality every day, an ongoing commitment to high-quality care and patient safety.
While the onsite survey is an important component of the process, ongoing compliance and continuous improvement are part of the accreditation maintenance mindset that a facility should integrate into its daily activities long after the survey has been completed. The intent of accreditation is for organizations to adopt policies and procedures that fuel ongoing quality improvement and self-evaluation every day.
“We are extremely pleased to receive this accreditation for another three-year term. The health center’s staff have worked under extraordinary circumstances over the past 18 months and being awarded this re-accreditation signifies how dedicated they are to the health and well-being of our patients.”
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking AAAHC accreditation undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory care. The survey is peer-based and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services.
Founded in 1979, AAAHC is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation, with more than 6,100 organizations accredited. Their organization accredits a wide range of outpatient settings, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery facilities, endoscopy centers, student health centers, medical and dental group practices, community health centers, employer-based health clinics, retail clinics, and Indian/Tribal health centers, among others.
AAAHC advocates for the provision of high-quality health care through the development and adoption of nationally recognized standards. They provide a valuable survey experience founded on a peer-based, educational approach to onsite review. The AAAHC Certificate of Accreditation, along with specialized programs including Advanced Orthopedic Certification and Medical Home Certification, demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality services to its patients—every day of the 1,095-day accreditation cycle. AAAHC Accreditation and Certification Programs are recognized by third-party payers, medical professional associations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and the public. For more information on AAAHC, visit www.aaahc.org.